WAIT ON THE LORD Concluded

The second Hebrew word translated “wait” seems obscure, but it is, nevertheless, a vital part of our waiting that builds faith and patience.

“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!”
Isaiah 64:4 NLT

In Paul’s explanation regarding the mystery of God’s redemption plan, which was hidden from the fallen spiritual rulers of the nations, but revealed in Christ, he quoted from Isaiah 64:4

“No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”
1 Corinthians 2:7-9 NLT

The unspiritual mind i.e., those who are dead to God because of sin, cannot conceive of or even understand the mystery of God’s plan for those who believe in Him, or as Paul puts it, those who love Him. How does this statement connect with Isaiah’s?

Paul’s quote seems to present an interpretation not found in Isaiah’s statement. He uses the word “love” in place of “wait”. How does he express his connection with Isaiah?

The word “wait” in Isaiah 64:4 has an alternative meaning which translators ignored. The word “chakah”, translated “wait” comes from a primitive root associated with piercing.

Where in the Bible is the concept of piercing used?

“But the slave may declare, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children. I don’t want to go free.’ If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life.”
Exodus 21:5-6 NLT

The love of the slave for his master and family caused him to submit to the ritual of ear piercing. The blood on the door post was a perpetual reminder that he belonged to his master and could never be sold to another.

“Blood on the door post”? Another picture of belonging! The children of Israel were saved from the angel of death in Egypt because the blood on the door posts of their houses indicated that they belonged to God.

Jesus was pierced for us that we might belong to God.

“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honour God with your body.”
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NLT

It is our love for Jesus and our obedience to His Word that indicates that we are bound to Him forever because He was pierced for us. We participate in that piercing by being “in Christ” through faith in Him.

How does this concept of piercing connect with waiting on God?

Our love for God is based on our confidence in His trustworthiness. We can wait for Him by weaving our “faith rope” because our “piercing” guarantees that He will answer us for our good and for His glory in His time.

What a marvellous reassurance… that, because we belong to God through His Son’s death, He will always do the best for us. Our faith grows stronger as we wait, our character of steadfastness, patience, and loyalty grows in the likeness of Jesus.

Waiting, then, is not idleness, kicking our heels impatiently while we beg God to intervene. Waiting is a period of steadfast growth in faith and character as God works His will for us.